A Brazilian reader sends us the following astonishing article published yesterday in the largest national daily, Folha de Sao Paulo: the official chosen by the Brazilian Conference of Bishops (the largest Conference of Bishops in the world) to advise the cardinals of that country in the conclave explicitly asked the media to print supportive articles on Cardinal Scherer, Archbishop of Sao Paulo. He is now clearly in open campaign in collusion with the media.

Brazilian team adopts campaign tune to boost Card. Odilo

The Brazilian entourage in the Vatican has adopted a campaign tune in favor of Cardinal Odilo Scherer, Archbishop of Sao Paulo, in the conclave that will choose the next pope.

The President of the CNBB (National Conference of the Bishops of Brazil), Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, said yesterday that his fellow countryman has “every condition” to ascend to the helm of the church.

Monsignor Antonio Luiz Catelan, who travelled to Rome to advise the cardinals, confirmed the negotiations for Card. Odilo and said that his candidacy gains streghth in the pre-election meetings.

“The name of Card. Odilo increases in more than one continent,” he affirmed, following the first meeting of the general congregation of Cardinals. “People are talking amongst themselves.”

He celebrated the hype of the foreign press: “The phone does not stop.” “One notices that there is a very clear interest in Card. Odilo.”

The clergyman said that the candidacy of the Brazilian has become the most talked-about in the high echelons of the church.

Catelan suggested that Brazilian journalists publish positive reports to boost the Cardinal. “You could spread, [when speaking] of Brazilian cardinals, elements that may show him to be a good candidate.”

Conclaves do not have declared candidates, and most mentioned ones use to avoid declarations. It is the case of Card. Odilo, who used a side gate to enter the Vatican, away from reporters.

“He does not feel he is a candidate, he continues with the same humility as always,” Catelan said.